The Center's Key Indicators Report Examines Regional Average Length of Stay for Newborns

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In Northeast Ohio and across the country, mothers and their newborns used to stay in the hospital for over four days; however, recent decades have witnessed shorter stays, averaging just over two days for normal deliveries, according to The Center’s most recent Key Indicators Report.

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Starting in the 1970s, the average length of stay for newborns after delivery began declining. In Northeast Ohio and across the country, mothers and their newborns used to stay in the hospital for over four days; however, recent decades have witnessed shorter stays, averaging just over two days for normal deliveries, according to The Center’s most recent Key Indicators Report.

In Northeast Ohio the average length of stay for newborns has declined by more than 11 hours since 2001. The report notes that despite the long-standing nature of this trend, declining average length of stay for newborns will not continue indefinitely due to the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act of 1996, which requires insurers and hospitals to allow a mother and newborn to stay in the hospital up to 48 hours after normal delivery and 96 hours after C-section delivery.

The Key Indicators Report provides analysis of the hospital market based on Volume Statistics data. More information on average length of stay for newborns and other utilization trends is available by contacting George Jeney via email or at 216.255.3666.

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The Center for Health Affairs is the leading advocate for Northeast Ohio hospitals, serving those organizations and others through a variety of advocacy and business management services. The Center also works to inform the public about issues that affect the delivery of health care. Formed by a visionary group of hospital leaders 96 years ago, The Center continues to operate on the principle that by working together hospitals can ensure the availability and accessibility of health care services. For more on The Center, go to http://www.chanet.org.